On December 19, 2024, the most recent Supper Club event, One Family’s Story: A Persian Jewish Journey, brought people together for an evening filled with rich traditions, stories, and flavors. Hosted by JFS staff Golriz Boroomand, the event offered guests an immersive experience into Persian Jewish culture and cuisine.
Golriz told her family's story of immigrating to Canada in the 1970s and their continued resilience and connection to their Persian Jewish roots. “Tonight, I am representing a very, very small number of Persian Jews who live in Vancouver,” Golriz shared. “So much of our community hails from Ashkenazi backgrounds, that over the years my family and I have perhaps struggled a little with keeping up our own traditions.” She went on to add that the Vancouver Jewish Community is always interested in learning about Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewish traditions and she was happy for the opportunity to share other Jewish traditions from the Middle East.
The evening’s highlights included the ancient traditions of Shab-e Yalda, the Winter Solstice celebration, which is steeped in food, poetry, and symbolism. Guests enjoyed traditional Persian dishes adapted to parve dietary laws, including Aash-e Reshteh, a noodle soup associated with the longest night of the year and celebrated for its symbolic long noodles, representing longevity.
The night was a testament to the power of community, with JFS Community Programs Coordinator Maryam Alavi, her mother Zahra, and aunt, Asi, playing a vital role in preparing the authentic dishes which were instrumental in bringing the event to life and creating a meaningful experience for attendees.
As Hafiz’s words echoed, “Come so that we can scatter flowers and fill the glass to brim with wine,” the evening reminded all of the enduring strength of heritage, community, and the shared joy of food.
